Daily Politics from the New Statesman
The New Statesman
Helping you make sense of politics – every weekday.Anoosh Chakelian, Oli Dugmore and the New Statesman team bring you sharp reporting, clear analysis and thoughtful conversations to help you understand what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.The New Statesman is Britain’s leading source of news and commentary on politics and culture with a progressive perspective. On Daily Politics, our journalists and expert guests cut through the noise of the headlines to explain the forces shaping our world. From the battles inside the Labour Party to the future of the Conservatives, from the rise of Reform UK to the debates that dominate Parliament, we provide the clarity you need to follow UK politics.--START HERE:▶︎ Kemi Badenoch isn't working | Cover Story with Tom McTague▶︎ Do billionaires really benefit the UK?▶︎ One year of Labour rule: can things still only get better?--LISTEN AD-FREE:📱Download and subscribe in the New Statesman app to enjoy all our episodes without the ads.--MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:❓ Ask a question - we answer them on the podcast every Friday⏰ Get our daily politics newsletter in your inbox every morning✍️ Enjoy the best of our writing via email every Saturday--Hosts:Anoosh ChakelianOli DugmoreRegular contributors and co-hosts:Tom McTague, Editor-in-chiefWill Lloyd, Deputy editorAndrew Marr, Political editorGeorge Eaton, Senior editor, politicsHannah Barnes, Associate editorRachel Cunliffe, Associate political editorWill Dunn, Business editorMegan Gibson, Foreign editorKatie Stallard, Global affairs editorTanjil Rashid, Culture editorKate Mossman, Senior writerProduction team:Senior podcast producer: Catharine HughesVideo producer: Rob Le MareAssistant producer: Biba KangExecutive producer: Chris Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
6 snips
Mar 14, 2026 • 39min
“Won’t someone think of the hereditary peers?” | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
A weekly round-up covering the scrapping of hereditary peers and the political bargaining behind the compromise. Discussions on provocative public comments about Iran and later denials. A quirky dive into UK citizenship test trivia and the Jaffa Cake VAT legal oddity. Tech lobbyists' evasive answers to foreign influence questions. Lightweight stories about camel pageant cheating, pet cloning and public figure pet scandals.
Mar 13, 2026 • 23min
Mandelson files: Starmer knew
Rachel Cunliffe, political journalist and New Statesman contributor who read the Mandelson files in full. She walks through the released vetting papers and onboarding documents. She highlights references to Jeffrey Epstein, the contested severance demands, and timing issues around security clearance. She discusses staff warnings, political fallout for Keir Starmer, and what further files might reveal.
20 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 1h 9min
Britain’s imminent decline
John Bew, historian and former foreign policy adviser to multiple prime ministers, offers a concise mini bio. He frames Britain’s moment as a potential “fourth great disruption.” They cover whether muddling through suffices, the politics blocking long-term planning, defence capability as diplomatic currency, alliance signalling, and what kind of political leadership could reset strategy.
Mar 11, 2026 • 45min
David Lammy on the crisis abroad and within Labour
David Lammy, British Labour politician and current Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice, reflects on foreign policy and party challenges. He discusses the UK response to strikes on Iran and the legal and diplomatic limits of military action. He outlines court reform plans, racial disproportionality in justice, and why Labour is grappling with local election setbacks.
Mar 10, 2026 • 31min
Trump's war is making us all poorer
A deep dive into how the Iran conflict is driving oil volatility and squeezing household budgets. Shoppers’ fears, rising petrol and heating costs, and mortgage effects are explored. The discussion covers shipping risks around the Strait of Hormuz and who profits from higher oil prices. Tone is political and economic, weighing policy options and electoral consequences.
8 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 28min
Starmer and Trump's relationship at an all time low
Freddie Hayward, US correspondent covering transatlantic relations and inside US foreign policy, breaks down UK–US tensions after American strikes on Iran. He discusses British bases’ role in operations. He outlines Starmer’s diplomatic playbook and the multiple layers of UK foreign policy. He also explores back‑channel influence from figures like Nigel Farage and what Trump-era politics mean for Britain’s relevance.
Mar 7, 2026 • 36min
”Won’t somebody think of the labradoodles?” | Will and Anoosh’s weekly round up
Weird headlines about wealthy Britons in Dubai, tax residency and glossy expat culture. A debate about how younger people read class through current income rather than background. Naval deployments and culture funding as a pushback against extremism. Company collapses that left small investors exposed. Betting markets speculating on strikes and quirky stories about squirrels and overbred dogs.
9 snips
Mar 6, 2026 • 31min
What is the future for jury trials?
Sarah Sackman, Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services and MP, outlines proposed reforms to tackle an 80,000-case Crown Court backlog. She explains which cases would keep jury trials and the plan to reallocate others to magistrates or judge-only divisions. The conversation covers impact modelling, funding versus structural change, judicial independence and public confidence in a modernised justice system.
9 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 20min
Exclusive: the progressive voters abandoning Labour
Steve Akehurst, polling analyst and co-author of the Persuasion UK / 38 Degrees study, explains who progressive defectors are and where they live. He outlines their demographics and financial pressures. He describes why they see Labour as 'Tory light' and how losing them could cost seats. He discusses which policy signals and cultural stances might win them back.
Mar 4, 2026 • 23min
Was Rachel Reeves’ spring statement out of date on arrival?
Discussion of how a major fiscal statement was sidelined by global conflict. Analysis of why forecasts became outdated once geopolitical shocks hit. Examination of claims on inflation, interest rates, and a touted £1,000 gain for households. Scrutiny of migration, pay, housing targets and how rising energy prices could erase projected benefits.
